Running in Flip-Flops From the End of the World

Gr 3-7–In the sequel to It’s The End of the World and I’m In My Bathing Suit, 12-year-old Eddie and his friends are still trying to enjoy the fun, liberating freedom of being the only people around since their families disappeared at the Beach Bash. Eddie talks directly to readers in the opening pages, welcoming them back and addressing some of their concerns about the previous cliffhanger. Eddie and his friends are determined to get back to the beach where it all started, hoping that it might give them some clues as to what happened and why. But anytime they try, something happens, such as bees magically appearing inside their car, preventing them from entering. Between the jokes and bonding among friends, quieter moments of reflection about the apocalypse come through. This is why one of Eddie’s friends suggests they keep a video diary, transcribed as “Keep it Reel,” so they can look back and process their experiences once it’s over. Eddie wants to pretend everything is okay—he even tries to make a human-sized ice-cream sundae in a pool for his friends, but everyone is still dealing with the events differently. Readers will enjoy the fast-paced and humorous first-person narrative. Another cliffhanger will leave fans of the series eager for the next installment.